It was a small store with many book shelves. There was the counter where George and Pepper stood and a spiral staircase about mid-floor that wound up to a second half floor with more shelves and books.

Soon the door opened again and a young lady walked in. She was wearing a light, frilly blouse that was just off the shoulders and a pair of stylishly dirty looking jeans with a belt over the shirt and her hips. She had long, straight blonde hair with a beaded band around her head, made from turquoise jewelry.

"There you are!" Pepper said. "I thought you would sleep all day."

"Well, I got in late and I was so tired but, I couldn't sleep because my roommate Belinda and her boyfriend wanted to do this séance the other night."

"Séance?" George asked as he walked out from behind the counter.

"Hi daddy," she said and kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah it was fun. But I can't stop thinking about this person we contacted who got killed and everyone thought it was an accident but her ghost told us it wasn't."

"Mendalie," Pepper said, "Dear you shouldn't mess with that stuff."

"Oh I know. It was just for fun. Besides, what if it was the girl that Runa found?"

"That was just last night, honey," George said laughing.

"Oh, yeah," Mendalie answered. "How is my 'bestie' anyway?"

"We don't know," George said. "Why don't you go find out?"

Mendalie smiled and started up the spiral staircase.

"Don't forget," Pepper called after her, "We're going shopping later."

George shook his head and spoke to his wife, "You think she's learning anything at that school we're paying for?"

***

The front door opened and Runa stood there talking on the phone. She waved Mendalie in.

It was a cute little apartment. The living room was big enough. It actually sat at the corner of the building and there was a balcony on the same side of the wall as the kitchen. It was behind the TV and the doors to it were shut. The other wall boasted a beautiful beveled window frame with a sitting spot covered with pillows. Several books laid there. Looking out that window would reveal a sign for the bookstore hanging near it and a little abandoned bird's nest on the sign.

The kitchen was tiny. There were few cupboards and a small refrigerator. There were a couple of open shelves above the sink and there was actually a dishwasher below it, to the side. There was a small counter space beside the refrigerator and opposite the sink. Runa could squeeze in there for making meals and washing dishes but barely. There was just enough room between the kitchen and the living room for a small table and two chairs as well.

There was a closet in the living room for coats. There was a door to the back steps and there was another door to Runa's bedroom beside that. It was a regular size bedroom, and it had a small closet and dresser. The bathroom was inside this room as well. It had a nice size tub and shower but everything else was small.

Runa was a girl with dark hair and a thin but medium build. She had a small nose, high cheekbones and almond eyes. She was very attractive. She was wearing pajamas still. But they looked like she had just put them on.

Mendalie bounded into the room and both girls smiled at each other.

"Okay," Runa rushed, "I got to go. Mendalie's here. Love you too, okay. I know. Yeah I won't forget. I promise. Okay. Bye."

Runa touched her phone screen and ended the call.

"Hello dollface," Mendalie said. "I heard you went all 'Kill Bill' last night."

"That's not funny!" Runa told her. "I didn't 'kill' anyone."

"Mmm hmm," Mendalie said while backing up to the beveled window seat. "That's what you told the police anyway. Should I be afraid?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Runa said while slowly reaching for one of her cat toys that was on a string. She pulled the string tight between her hands as she slowly made her way toward Mendalie. "Now just hold still. This won't be too painful. I promise."

Mendalie laughed but, Runa kept coming closer. Mendalie grabbed a couch pillow off the window seat and prepared to defend herself.

"Wait a minute," Mendalie said, lowering the pillow. "Where is Houdini? What did you do with her? Oh no... You couldn't have... you are a monster."

Runa laughed. "Yes and now her ghost will haunt the bookstore."

"A little black cat ghost; sounds creepy to me," Mendalie admitted.

Just then a meow came from under a blanket onthe couch and both girls jumped. They looked at the blanket and started laughingas the cat crawled out from under the blanket and stared at them, confused.